System and method for speech enhancement

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing noise in a speech signal. A handset or remote unit provides to users with a hearing deficiency, a first mode of operation where noise suppressant/speech enhancement algorithms are used during any auditory-related service. There is also provided, in a related mode of operation, speech filtering for reducing noise in a speech signal received through the microphone and outputting the filtered sound to the speaker. The handset includes a microphone for receiving an auditory sound, a receiver for receiving an auditory signal and a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and sound. The speech filter also may be configured to shift the frequency and/or alter the intensity of the auditory signal and sound. The speaker is used for amplifying and outputting the enhanced speech component as an audible sound.

1. A method for enhancing speech perception in a communications device:
 providing a cellular telephone having a signal receiver for receiving a voice signal from a receiver via an antenna, a microphone for capturing a voice signal, a speaker for outputting an audible sound, and an upconverter for selectively upconverting the voice signal captured by the microphone or routing it to the speaker; 
 selecting at a control menu either the receiver or the microphone for an advanced hearing mode; 
 receiving the voice signal into the cellular telephone via which of the receiver or microphone as selected, wherein the voice signal comprises a speech component and a noise component; 
 separating the voice signal into speech and noise components; and 
 routing the speech component of the voice signal to the speaker. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating step comprises filtering the voice signal to remove the noise component. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating step comprises processing the voice signal to enhance the speech component and suppress the noise component. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of customizing the signal to noise ratio of the received voice signal. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the customizing step comprises setting the signal to noise ratio to a predetermined level based on the based on a listener's preference. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of storing multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels, each custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level corresponding to a particular environment. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of storing the multiple custom predetermined signal to noise ratio levels in a selectable menu system for enabling the user to select the appropriate custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level. 
     
     
       8. A cellular telephone comprising:
 a microphone for receiving an auditory sound; 
 a receiver for receiving an auditory signal via a receiver coupled to an antenna, wherein the auditory signal is received wirelessly from a cellular infrastructure; 
 a speech filter for suppressing noise in the auditory signal and the auditory sound for enhancing a speech component of the auditory signal and the auditory sound; and 
 a speaker for amplifying and outputting the speech component as an audible sound; wherein the cellular telephone provides a control menu for selecting either the receiver or microphone for outputting the corresponding speech component. 
 
     
     
       9. The remote unit of  claim 8  wherein the control menu further allows setting an operating parameter of the speech filter. 
     
     
       10. The remote unit of  claim 9 , wherein the control menu comprises means for setting a signal to noise ratio of the filter based on a listening environment of a user. 
     
     
       11. The remote unit of  claim 10 , wherein multiple custom signal to noise ratio settings maybe stored in the remote unit. 
     
     
       12. The remote unit of  claim 11 , wherein the control menu further comprises a selectable menu system for enabling the user to select the custom predetermined signal to noise ratio level appropriate for the user.